High Performance Electrics: KillaCycle, ElectroCat and KillaJoule (Future of Electric Vehicles USA 2010)

Bill Dube' and Eva Håkansson are both hard core "EV geeks" with a passion for power and speed. Their world-famous electric racing program includes the world record holding 500 HP "KillaCycle" drag racing motorcycle, the Pike's Peak International Hill Climb electric motorcycle record holder, the "ElectroCat", and the latest addition, the electric land speed motorcycle, the "KillaJoule".

 

Long before they met, Eva built her ElectroCat in her family garage in Sweden with the help of her father Sven Håkansson (a famous European motorcycle designer and road racer.) Eva has degrees in business and environmental science and is a recognized expert in alternative-fuels. She authored a popular book (in Swedish) about hybrid and electric cars and countless of articles.

 

Bill has been deeply involved in EV racing for many years. He was one of the founding members of the National Electric Drag racing Association. He wrote the safety rules for EV drag racing in 1997 which were adopted by the NHRA in 1999 and FIA a few years ago, allowing direct competition of EVs with gasoline vehicles on drag strips nationally (and also internationally.) With help from a lot of talented friends, Bill designed and built the KillaCycle in 1999. In 2000, the KillaCycle was the first EV to exceed 150 mph on the drag strip, and it has held the 1/4 mile speed record continuously ever since through constant modifications and improvements. The KillaCycle does 0 to 60 mph in less than one second.

 

Bill and Eva "joined forces" in 2008 when they got married in an electric prototype truck. Eva is the driver and builder of the KillaJoule and serves as the crew chief for the KillaCycle drag racing program. Bill, of course, serves as the crew chief for the KillaJoule land speed racing program.

 

For his "day job" Bill is a scientist/engineer on the faculty of the University of Colorado. He designs, builds, and operates state-of-the-art instruments for measuring atmospheric chemistry (AKA "air pollution") for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Eva's "day job" is taking a master degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Denver.

Bill Dube' and Eva Håkansson are both hard core "EV geeks" with a passion for power and speed. Their world-famous electric racing program includes the world record holding 500 HP "KillaCycle" drag racing motorcycle, the Pike's Peak International Hill Climb electric motorcycle record holder, the "ElectroCat", and the latest addition, the electric land speed motorcycle, the "KillaJoule".

 

Long before they met, Eva built her ElectroCat in her family garage in Sweden with the help of her father Sven Håkansson (a famous European motorcycle designer and road racer.) Eva has degrees in business and environmental science and is a recognized expert in alternative-fuels. She authored a popular book (in Swedish) about hybrid and electric cars and countless of articles.

 

Bill has been deeply involved in EV racing for many years. He was one of the founding members of the National Electric Drag racing Association. He wrote the safety rules for EV drag racing in 1997 which were adopted by the NHRA in 1999 and FIA a few years ago, allowing direct competition of EVs with gasoline vehicles on drag strips nationally (and also internationally.) With help from a lot of talented friends, Bill designed and built the KillaCycle in 1999. In 2000, the KillaCycle was the first EV to exceed 150 mph on the drag strip, and it has held the 1/4 mile speed record continuously ever since through constant modifications and improvements. The KillaCycle does 0 to 60 mph in less than one second.

 

Bill and Eva "joined forces" in 2008 when they got married in an electric prototype truck. Eva is the driver and builder of the KillaJoule and serves as the crew chief for the KillaCycle drag racing program. Bill, of course, serves as the crew chief for the KillaJoule land speed racing program.

 

For his "day job" Bill is a scientist/engineer on the faculty of the University of Colorado. He designs, builds, and operates state-of-the-art instruments for measuring atmospheric chemistry (AKA "air pollution") for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Eva's "day job" is taking a master degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Denver.

KillaCycle Racing is a world-famous electric racing team, but it isn't really a company - it is a _really_ expensive hobby, even with the help of the sponsors, including A123Systems, Rider's Discount, M&H Tires, Manzanita Micro, and Woody's Wheel Works. Eva Hakansson and Bill Dube' design, build, and race world record holding electric motorcycles. They do it to demonstrate that EVs do not have to be embarrassing, slow, "nerd-mobiles", but can be fast, powerful, and sexy. They also have managed to advance the state of EV technology significantly along the way.